Friday, September 19, 2014

THIS BLOG HAS MOVED!

With the launch of our new website and the integration of the blog to it, all future blog posts can be found at https://rodgersforge.org/community-association/blog/

Thursday, September 18, 2014

Towson Clean Up - October 11th



Towson Clean Up
Saturday, October 11
9am -1pm.

Sponsored by:

Greater Towson Council of Community Associations
Towson Chamber of Commerce
Towson University

Twice a year (Spring and Fall), our three groups do projects in downtown Towson and in many Towson neighborhoods, schools and parks.
In the past, projects have included:
  • Trash pick-up
  • Graffiti removal (paint over)
  • Mulching
  • Weed pulling
  • Park clean-up
  • Tree Plantings.

We are also looking for some neighbors that want to do a project or clean-up in their neighborhood. We can staff your project with Towson University student volunteers but they need supervision. Email us by October 7 to schedule the student volunteers!

We welcome volunteers who want to do their own project or come help in downtown Towson – Examples: cleaning up a particular street, park, alley, etc.

The Towson Chamber can provide bags, gloves, paint, etc. We will also have trucks to come pick-up your bags and debris. You need to call the Chamber to call in a pick-up.
Email Mike Ertel at mertel@jacobscompany.com for more information or call Patty at the Towson Chamber (410) 825-1144.

Sunday, September 7, 2014

101 York "PUD" Community Input Meeting

Updated info from GTCCA:

The Community Input Meeting for the 101 York Planned Unit Development (PUD) will be:Tuesday, September 9, 7:00 PM, at the Towson Library, 320 York Road.

101 York is the proposed 15-story project on the west side of York Road between Starbucks and Jiffy Lube that will include 611 beds of student housing, 495 parking spaces, and 9,000 sq ft of retail space. The building and parking garage will extend behind the Towson University Marriott Hotel & Conference Center. The adjacent communities of Aigburth Manor Association of Towson, Towson Manor Village, Burkleigh Square, Southland Hills, and the Greater Towson Council of Community Associations have all opposed this project, as has the Towson American Legion. That stretch of York Road needs redevelopment, but 101 York will negatively affect the surrounding communities and is NOT the appropriate project for that site.

Please attend the meeting to find out more about the project and let your opinion be heard.

--
Greater Towson Council of Community Associations ("GTCCA")
gtccainformation@gmail.com
www.gtcca.org

Thursday, September 4, 2014

RFCOP Crime Update - August 5th - September 3rd

Property Thefts
Advising all our Central to West Towson Community Folks, to be aware of Copper Downspout Thefts in your area.
 
During the last week of August a Resident on Malvern Ave called 9-1-1 to report a White Male, 25-35 years of age, removing the copper gutters and downspouts from a neighbor's house.  Though this White Male Subject was gone upon the Officer's arrival the incident was verified and reported thus we are alerting our Central and Western neighborhoods to be aware of this incident and the Possible Person responsible. A possible vehicle used in this incident is a Red Sedan type vehicle with a possible roof rack and ladders on top.  There is no further description of the Person or Vehicle at this time but please alert your neighbors and fellow residents to be aware of this Person, Vehicle and Activity occurring and to call 9-1-1 anytime they see and/or hear of Suspicious/Criminal Activity happening in the Community.
 
Thank You, Sgt Stephen Fink, 2815 PC06 COT

Burglary Theft Reminder
Hello! It's that time of year again! We are starting to see a rise in Garage/Shed Burglaries and Thefts of Property where those responsible are taking Lawn Equipment and Bicycles from unsecured Garages, Sheds or simply out of Residential Yards.
 
I Commend Everyone receiving my past email notifications for passing along the information to Your Family, Friends, Neighbors and Community Residents to aide in the reduction of Criminal Events in Towson Precinct. I am asking you once again to pass along this information as a reminder to everyone to ALWAYS PROPERLY SECURE YOUR PERSONAL PROPERTY in order to reduce the possibility of being a Victim of Crime.
Recent reports of Garage/Shed Burglaries and Property theft show a continued trend of removing Lawn Cutting Equipment with an added increase in Bicycles being taken. So again just get the word out to Everyone You know that when not being used put all property away and secure those Out Buildings properly once all property is inside.
 
As Always, anytime anyone sees or hears of Suspicious/Criminal Activity occurring Call 9-1-1 so our Officers can respond and handle accordingly.
 
Thank You, Sgt Stephen Fink, 2815 PC06 COT

B.C.P.D. Precinct # 6 - Crime Blotter Aug 5-Sep 3, 2014
This is a summary of recent significant police news in your community. For police news from across the entire county, visit our news archive
At 1:45 p.m., the suspect entered the M&T Bank, displayed a handgun, and demanded money. The suspect fled the bank with an undisclosed amount of money.
Sometime between 8:52 a.m. and 8:33 p.m., an unknown suspect pried open a garage and took a bicycle.
Sometime between 7 p.m. on August 31 and 10 a.m. on September 1, an unknown suspect broke the front display window to Grillo and Company. There were no items missing from the display.
At approximately 6:49 p.m., the suspect approached the victim in the Aldi store and pulled a handgun from his jacket. The victim then ran out of the store. The suspect also left the store.
Sometime between 9 p.m. on August 30 and 3:30 a.m. on August 31, an unknown suspect removed a bike from a yard.
Sometime between 9 p.m. on August 30 and 7:33 p.m. on September 1, an unknown suspect took a bike from a yard.
Sometime between 6 p.m. on August 29 and 6 p.m. on September 1, an unknown suspect took bike parts from a bike in an apartment storage locker.
At approximately 4:48 p.m., an unknown suspect removed copper gutters and downspouts from a home.
Sometime between 5 p.m. on August 28 and 4:55 p.m. on August 29, unknown suspects took four bikes, a leaf blower, and a bike helmet from an attached garage.
At approximately 5 p.m., the suspect entered the Petco store, displayed a handgun, and demanded money. The suspect fled the store with an undisclosed amount of cash.
Sometime between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m., unknown suspects removed copper drain pipe from a home.
At 2 a.m., an unknown suspect entered the 7-Eleven store, displayed a gun, and demanded money. The suspect fled the store with nothing when the clerk told him that he had pushed the alarm.
At 2:35 p.m.., a male suspect took a shopping bag that the victim had placed on a bench. The victim chased the male suspect and confronted him. The male suspect implied he had a gun and the victim grabbed her shopping bag back. The female suspect then assaulted the victim and tried to take her purse. Police responded and took both suspects into custody.
Sometime between 8:30 a.m. and 2 p.m., an unknown suspect gained access to an office at St Pius X Church by cutting a window screen. Taken from the location was a bag of Hershey Kisses.
At 12:16 a.m., officers responded to Halstead Elementary School for an alarm call. A broken window was observed on the school. Two suspects then ran out of a rear door to the school. The suspects were lost after a foot chase but a stolen laptop was recovered.
Sometime between 10 and 10:20 p.m., the suspects approached the victim. The first suspect reached in his pants and stated "give us everything you got". The second suspect took the victim's wallet from his pants.
Email Alerts – Spot Crime.com
2.00 Miles around 222 Dumbarton Road – Week of Aug 5-Sep 3, 2014
Case #                  Crime                                               Date     Time                     Address
142033317           Theft from Motor Vehicle           8/18       8:02 am                xx Overbrook Road
142301225           Destruction of Property                                8/18       5:04 pm                4xx Murdock Road
142380333           Destruction of Property                                8/26       8:05 am                5xx Stevenson Lane
142380719           2nd Degree Assault                          8/26       11:34 am              5xx Stevenson Lane
142390196           Theft from Motor Vehicle           8/27       5:17 am                xx Dunkirk Road
142390413           Theft from Motor Vehicle           8/27       8:45 am                4xx Regester Avenue
142390670           Theft from Motor Vehicle           8/27       11:02 am              xx Murdock Road
142391321           Theft from Motor Vehicle           8/27       4:57 pm                4xx Murdock Road
142400555           Theft from Motor Vehicle           8/28       9:48 am                3xx Regester Avenue
142411063           Theft Other                                        8/29       2:00 pm                1xx Stevenson Lane
142411421           4th degree Burglary                         8/29       4:59 pm                5xx Wilton Road
NOTE:  The high volume of theft from motor vehicles.  Thank you everyone who reported to the police.  For those who did not, please make a report.  The more activity the police are aware of the more they can concentrate their patrols in our community to try to deter further theft

Tuesday, September 2, 2014

Burglary/Theft Reminder from BCPD

Hello! It's that time of year again! We are starting to see a rise in Garage/Shed Burglaries and Thefts of Property where those responsible are taking Lawn Equipment and Bicycles from unsecured Garages, Sheds or simply out of Residential Yards.
 
I Commend Everyone receiving my past email notifications for passing along the information to Your Family, Friends, Neighbors and Community Residents to aide in the reduction of Criminal Events in Towson Precinct. I am asking You once again to pass along this information as a reminder to everyone to ALWAYS PROPERLY SECURE YOUR PERSONAL PROPERTY in order to reduce the possibility of being a Victim of Crime.
 
Recent reports of Garage/Shed Burglaries and Property theft show a continued trend of removing Lawn Cutting Equipment with an added increase in Bicycles being taken. So again just get the word out to Everyone You know that when not being used put all property away and secure those Out Buildings properly once all property is inside.
 
As Always, anytime Anyone sees or hears of Suspicious/Criminal Activity occurring Call 9-1-1 so our Officers can respond and handle accordingly.
 
Thank You, Sgt Stephen Fink, 2815 PC06 COT

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

August Movie Night This Friday!

This Friday 8/29/14, RFCA will be presenting another family movie night at the Tot Lot. This month we will be showing "Sky High". Bring a picnic, chairs and a blanket and enjoy the evening! Film will start right around dusk, approximately 8:30pm.

TU Fireworks Notice For Fall 2014

From TU:

Dear Towson University Neighbors,
 
Please take note of this important message from Towson University’s Department of Environmental Health and Safety:
 
There will be a fireworks display during each of the six (6) Towson University home football games (8/30, 9/20, 9/27, 10/4, 11/1 & 11/15) in the 2014 fall season.
 
The fireworks will be similar in nature to last year’s (size and type) ground-based and will be set off at two locations, the 10 yard line and scoreboard.
  
The fireworks will be set off right before the introduction of the players. In addition, there will be four (4) cannon simulators utilized during the National Anthem that will make a loud “bang”  (per the Firework’s Technician).

Any questions, please feel free to email communityrelations@towson.edu or call 410-704-2356.

Monday, August 25, 2014

RFCOP Crime Report - August 4th - 17th

B.C.P.D. Precinct # 6 - Crime Blotter Aug 4-17, 2014
This is a summary of recent significant police news in your community. For police news from across the entire county, visit our news archive
Sometime between 11 p.m. on August 15 and 11:45 p.m. on August 16, an unknown suspect entered an apartment and stole cash and clothes.
At 12:16 a.m., officers responded to Halstead Elementary School for an alarm call. A broken window was observed on the school. Two suspects then ran out of a rear door to the school. The suspects were lost after a foot chase but a stolen laptop was recovered.
Sometime between 10 and 10:20 p.m., the suspects approached the victim. The first suspect reached in his pants and stated "give use everything you got". The second suspect took the victim's wallet from his pants.
Sometime between 2 and 6 p.m., unknown suspects entered a back yard and removed two pit bull puppies.
Sometime between 9:30 p.m. on August 12 and midnight on August 13, an unknown suspect entered a home and took cash and a computer tablet.
Sometime between 6 and 6:50 p.m., the suspects entered a yard and stole a bike. The suspects were taken into custody.
Sometime between 12:01 a.m. on August 9 and 9:21 p.m. on August 14, the suspect was staying in a vacant home. Police located him and took him into custody.
Sometime between 9:30 p.m. on August 7 and 9:30 a.m. on August 8, an unknown suspect removed down spouts from a home.
Sometime between 4 p.m. on August 7 and 7 p.m. on August 13, an unknown suspect entered a shed and took a leaf blower and trimmer.
At approximately 12:57 a.m., the suspect displayed a gun and demanded the victim's cell phone. The suspect took the victim's cell phone and fled the scene.
At approximately 7:35 p.m., two unknown suspects assaulted the victims and took one of the victim's cell phone. The suspects then fled the area.
Sometime between 4 and 4:30 a.m., an unknown suspect attempted to gain entry to a home but was not successful.
Sometime between 3:10 and 6:10 a.m., an unknown suspect gained entry to a home by breaking the glass on a window. Taken from the location were vehicle keys along with the vehicle they went to.
Sometime between 9 p.m. on August 4 and 8:30 a.m. on August 5, an unknown suspect entered an unsecured game room at Roland Run Club and threw a football at a window breaking it.
At 4:33 a.m., an unknown suspect attempted to gain entry to a home by prying a screen from a window. The suspect was scared off by the resident.
Sometime between 8 am. on August 3 and 7:45 p.m. on August 6, an unknown suspect gained access to a home by breaking a rear window. The home was ransacked and electronic items were taken
 
Email Alerts  - Spot Crime.com
2.00 Miles around 222 Dumbarton Road – Week of Aug 4-17, 2014
Case #                  Crime                                               Date     Time                     Address
142190323           4th degree Burglary                          8/7          7:58 am 5xx Regester Avenue
142191397           Theft from Motor Vehicle               8/7          6:24 pm                1xx Regester Avenue
142220731           Theft from Motor Vehicle               8/10        23:32 pm              3xx Stevenson Lane
142260261           Theft from Motor Vehicle               8/14        6:14 am 63xx Blackburn Court
142282024           Unarmed Robbery                           8/16        11:44 pm              Stoneleigh & York Road

COP Patroller finds Stolen Property (again)
The above Spot Crime report listed a theft from motor vehicle (TFMV) case on Thursday, August 7th in the 1xx block Regester. A cell phone and hand woven lacrosse stick were stolen from a jeep around 6:30 p.m. The homeowner pulled up to the house and went inside for 10 minutes and then was coming back outside to retrieve said items but they were gone. On his walks, Rob noticed a lacrosse stick neatly positioned on the front steps of 1xx Dumbarton for several days. He described the stick (not having given a proper description at the time) to the victim. The owner described his stick to me. The stick was still at the same location. So, I picked it up and left it inside his house. They were at the beach until Tuesday night and Rob was walking the dog. When the owner came home, a surprise was waiting for him. He had his hand woven lacrosse stick back.
-           Thank you Rob for your continuous foot patrols at all hours of the day and night.  There has been many times in the past that Rob has found stolen property and was able to return it to the owner.  Kudos to another job well done.

Friday, August 22, 2014

Recent GTCCA Meeting Summary

RFC board members John and Roxanne Rinehart attended last nights GTCCA meeting. A lot of RF pertinent news so he was kind enough to share his summary of the meeting:

All,
Roxanne and I attended the meeting, not as RFCA delegates, but as homeowners.

Quick rundown as to the information that came out of the meeting last night.

1.Caves Valley gave a brief presentation concerning their downtown development plans.
Among the additional information, these two pieces are of note. 
If they go Student housing above the first two floors, they are projecting 600-900 student beds.
Onsite parking will provide approximately 1400-1600 total use parking spots.
They are unable to determine traffic flow impact in the downtown area at this time.

2. BCPD Precinct Commander
Commander reported concerns about confidence scams against primarily the elderly.
Request was made for the Commander to increase awareness of County Requirements and restrictions on Door-to-Door Salespersons.
Comment from Delegate concerning Officers sitting in cars for extended times, working on required reports, and administrative workload. There was no dissatisfaction stated about the stationary nature of the vehicles, but rather, could the Officers park in a more visible manner, to project a Police presence. A specific request was put forth to have Officers park in a visible location along Stevenson Lane anywhere between Bellona and Osler to possibly slow vehicular traffic on Stevenson Ln.

3. Towson University
Students will be returning for the semester this weekend. Most activities will be inside, however, expect a marked increase in vehicular traffic in the Stevenson/Osler/Towsontown Blvd areas as students and their possessions return to dorms and outlying rental properties.
Ribbon cutting on the new pedestrian footbridge on Osler will take place today.
Construction will start either this weekend, or next week on the Women's Softball field.
Equipment is reported by TU to already be staged onsite for commencement.
Not reported at the GTCCA meeting, but as reported on NextDoor Rogers Forge by a homeowner, Towson University will be increasing tailgate partying from the previously allowed football Homecoming game, to now allowing tailgating on at least five football games. This activity will take place in close proximity to the rear of Stanmore Rd/Ct homes.
Discussion with Councilman Marks, who was present  at the meeting, revealed his unawareness of this change in the TU tailgating policy. At his request,
e-mail has been  to the origination NDRF poster to communicate  information directly to Councilman Marks. This was done to respect NDRF posting policy prevents the transmission or forwarding  of comments beyond the limitations of registered NDRF users.

4. Dumbarton Middle School/Towson University Women's Softball
GTCCA President, Paul Hartman reported on County Executive's decision to withdraw funding for DMS project that would cause the loss of trees and green space. He additionally reported on Towson Universities decision to withhold installation of electrical conduit for stadium lighting  at this time, but that there is a clear intent to light the field in the future, once funding is available.
As many of you know, the GTCCA was approached several months ago by both Gerald Truelove and RFCA, as represented by Micheal Bayer to request that GTCCA and the surrounding communities adopt a formal position of support in in our opposition to these projects. This formal support was quickly voted into approval, and as a result, you may have noticed GTCCA presence both at the Dumbarton Middle School meetings, and the Towson University meetings. Additionally, letters of formal opposition written by GTCCA appeared in several media outlets.

5. 101 York Rd project.
 Community input meeting for the PUD will beon September 9th at the County library downtown Towson branch. This meeting will be different in that the County will be hosting, and will be looking for community input and concerns. The President of GTCCA requested as many people as possible attend this meeting. As some recent residents may not be aware, both GTCCA and RFCA are in formal opposition to the project. Background may be found on page three of the April 2014 RFCA Minutes, located at the RFCA website, or follow the link @
https://www.rodgersforge.org/minutes/minutes-april-9-2014.pdf
Currently, our September meeting, to include Board elections has been scheduled for the same day as the PUD input meeting in order to not conflict with parents desiring to attend the DMS Back to School meeting on the 10th, which would be our regularly scheduled meeting date.

Can't think of anything else off the top of my head.
John

Tuesday, August 5, 2014

RFCOP Crime Report July 21st - August 3rd

B.C.P.D. Precinct # 6 - Crime Blotter July 21-Aug 3, 2014
This is a summary of recent significant police news in your community. For police news from across the entire county, visit our news archive
The suspect threatened the victim with a knife over money that was owed. The victim knew the suspect and the suspect was later taken into custody.
A suspect was arrested after trying to break into several cars on Lake Manor Drive and breaking into a car on the Royal Farm Stores parking lot on Falls Road.
Sometime between 7:30 p.m. on July 31 and 8 a.m. on August 1, an unknown suspect entered an unlocked vehicle that was parked in a driveway. Personal property was taken.
Sometime between 1:45 p.m. and 2:20 p.m., the suspects gained entry to a home by claiming to be from the water department. The suspects told the victim to wait in the bathroom while they fixed the water pipes. Nothing appeared to be missing from the location but a door to the attic was pried open.
Sometime between 12:31 and 12:39 a.m., an unknown suspect attempted to enter a home by removing an air conditioning unit from a window.
Sometime between 12:45 and 1 a.m., unknown suspects entered Conveyer and Automation Technologies and removed three computers, a flat screen TV, and electrical wire.
Sometime between 9 p.m. on July 27 and 8:50 a.m. on July 28, an unknown suspect entered a vehicle that had been parked in a driveway. The suspect ransacked the vehicle and took a GPS and coins.
Sometime between 6 p.m. on July 26 and 8 a.m. on July 27, unknown suspects entered an unsecured garage and stole two motorcycles.
Around 8:30 p.m., the victim was walking south on Loch Raven Boulevard when he was stabbed in the back by an unknown young black male. The investigation is ongoing.
At 12:25 p.m., the suspect walked into the Suntrust Bank and handed the teller a note demanding money. The suspect left the bank with an undisclosed amount of cash.
Sometime between 7:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., an unknown suspect entered the apartment and removed a jar of coins from the bedroom dresser and shoes from the bedroom closet. There were no signs of forced entry.
Sometime between 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m., unknown suspects entered the apartment through the front door and took watches, a camcorder, pair of shoes and cash.
Sometime between 5:15 a.m. and 5 p.m., unknown suspects entered the apartment and took a bracelet, coins, and a money order from the bedroom. There were no signs of forced entry.
Email Alerts  - Spot Crime.com
2.00 Miles around 222 Dumbarton Road – Week of July 21-Aug 3, 2014
Case #                  Crime                                               Date     Time                     Address
142010484          Theft from Motor Vehicle             7/20       9:39 am               xx Dunkirk Road
142021699          4th degree Burglary                         7/21       9:04 pm               1xx Midhurst Road
142050621          2nd degree Assault                           7/24       11:11 am             5xx Stevenson Lane
142060390          Theft from Motor Vehicle             7/25       8:35 am               3xx Dunkirk Road
142130366          4th degree Burglary                         8/1         8:15 am               5xx Anneslie Road
142130715          Identity Theft                                   8/1         11:53 am             3xx Overbrook Road
142140866          Destruction of Property                 8/2         3:22 pm               73xx Yorktowne Drive